Folding chair



Patented Feb. s, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,107,813 FOLDING CHAIR AClarence vA. Best, New Albany, Ind. y Application January 10, 1936, Serial No. 58,445

2 Claims.

`My invention relates to improvements in folding chairs of the type known as lawn chairs.

The main object'of my invention is to provide a` chair of this kind in a simple, inexpensive, durable and convenient form.

Another object is to provide a chair employing a minimum of parts comprising a back, arm rests pivoted at one end to the back at each side, legs pivotally mounted midway of their ends on the back, means for readily and adjustably con- 'necting the free ends of ther arm rests and the intended upper ends of the legs, a seat pivotally mounted at its rear edge to the back, and seat supporting legs pivotally mounted beneath the free edge of the seat. Y

Another object is to provide a chair of this kindincluding a writing desk or leaf hinged to onearm rest, a magazine rack behind the said back and receptacles for an ash tray and other smokers articles on one arm rest.

A further object is to provide a chair of this kindhaving novel and handy means for rmounting and supporting a lawn or vbeach umbrella over the chair. r

With these and other objects in view therinvention resides in the novel construction and arrangement of parts as hereinafter fully set forth and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved chair ready for use. y

Figure 2 is a fragmental enlarged side elevation.

Figure 3 is an enlarged edge view of the writing desk vor leaf and the adjacent arm rest and leg. r

Figure 4 is a fragmental perspective view of the chair back viewing the same from the rear v and showing the magazine rack thereon.

Figure 5 is an enlarged iragmental perspective View of one leg showing the locking pin thereon. Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the leg lock.

In carrying out my invention I providev a back shown generally at 1 comprising spaced parallel sides 8 joined by cross pieces or bars 9 which in turn are spanned by slats or strips I0 arranged in any suitable pattern and parallel with the sides 8. These slats I0 extend the lengthr of the kback 1 terminating at their lower ends some distance above the lower ends of the side 8 as vshown and the upper and lower cross bars 9 are fitted in recesses at II into the rear edges of the sides 8 while the center bar 9 lies flat on these edges thus giving a bowed shape to the back as formed by the slats.

Legs I2 are pivotally mounted intermediate their ends by bolts I3 on the sides 8 of the back 1 some distance below the slats I0 and may be folded when not in use flat alongside the sides 8. Arm rests I4 are pivoted at their ends by bolts i5 to the `sides 8 above the legs I2 and in such position that they may also fold up alongside these sides while clearing the legs I2 in their folded positions. The legs I2 carry headed locking pins I6 on their upper ends and at spaced points below and near the free ends of each arm rest I4 locking means are provided each comprising an L-shaped bracket I1 screw fastened to the arm rest and having a downwardly opening notch I8 adapted to receive the pin I8 on the leg. Thus by entering the pins I6 inthe notches I8 the legs I2 may be secured in a position forming crosses with the sides 8 of the back 1 to support the back in a rearwardly inclining position as shown. By changing the pins I6 from the brackets I1 nearest the outer ends Aof they arm rests I4 to the brackets inwardly thereof the pivotal points I3 of the legs are elevated toa higher vpoint and the inclination of the back 1 reduced in well known manner. To lock the pins I6 in the proper notches IB each bracket I1 has a lock lever I9 pivoted at 20 above the notches I8 and having a laterally opening notch 2| near its free end adapted to also engage the pin and prevent pulling the bracket from the same as will be understood. rIhese levers I9 have ears 22 extended outward from their free ends as a convenience in swinging them into or out of engagement with the locking pins. The arm rests I4 when locked to the legs I2 are supported in substantially horizontal position while acting at the same time as supports for the legs.

A seat 23 of rectangular form is provided and comprises spaced and parallel side bars 24 secured together by spaced cross slats 25 as shown and this seat is hinged to the back 1 at one edge by pivotally mounting the ends of the side bars 24 inside the sides 8 on the leg mounting bolts I3. Thus the seat when not in use may be folded up flat against the back 1. Seat supporting legs 26 are pivoted at their upper ends by bolts 21 within the outer ends of the side bars 24 and these legs may then fold back flat alongside these side bars when the seat is folded. The legs 28 are joined by a cross bar 28 and when opened to support the seat 23 as shown are held in vertical position by articulated arms 52e pivotally mounted at their ends 30 to the side bars 24 and the legs and joined centrally by a rule joint 3| in well known manner.

From the foregoing itwill be evident that the chair may be folded Very compactly when, not in use and when opened will provide a comfortable and sturdy chair. The six point bearing by the sides 8, legs I2 and legs 26 especially conduces to a strong and rigid support for the chair.

`One arm rest I4 has recesses 32 to receive cigarettes, matches and ash trays and the like. A writing desk or leaf 33 is also hinged by one edge at 34 to the inner edge 35 of this arm rest and when swung upward to a horizontal position serves as a convenient plane surface for writing and like operations. A support arm 36 is pivotally mounted at 3l to one leaf of a strap hinge 33 mounted below the leaf 33 near its outer edge and when the leaf is raised the lower end of the arm 36 drops into an eye 39 on the adjacent leg I2 rigidly supporting the leaf. When not in use the arm 36 is swung on the pivot 3l tolle flat against the leaf and the leaf is dropped down inside the arm rest I4.

A magazine rack is provided on the back l by a strip 40 secured along the center cross bar 9 and a loop 4I secured to the upper cross bar 9 as shown in Figure 4. A spring clip 42 is secured to one arm rest I4 near its pivot I5 and has spring set normally converging outwardly projecting jaws 43. In Vertical alignment below jaws 43 an eye 44 is screwed into the inner side of the leg I2 near its lower end. A lawn or beach um,- brella (not shown) may have its staff dropped through the eye 44 and slipped between the jaws. 43 to support the umbrella over the chair. While I have herein set forth a certain preferred embodiment of my invention, it is understood that I may Vary from the same in minor structural details, so as best to construct a practical device for the purpose intended, not departing from the spirit of the invention, and within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim':

1. In a foldable chair combination, a ybackY having a pair offorwardly extended legs at the sides thereof, a pair of rearwardly extended legs medially pivoted by pivot pins to the outer sides of the forwardly extended legs, a seat pivotally connected at its'rear portion to the inner sides of the forwardly extendedV legs by means: of the pivot pins connecting the legs of the assembly, the seat being foldable upwardly against the back, supports foldably connected with the forward end of the seat for maintaining the seat in horizontal position when opened, arms pivoted at their rear ends to the outer sides of the back and adjustably connected at their forward ends with the upper ends of the rearwardly extended legs, a writing leaf hinged to the inside edge of one of the arms and arranged for opening horizontally inward over the seat for use, and for folding downward into the space between the adjacent outer side of the seat and the inner side of the adjacent rearwardly extended leg, out of the yway to allow the seat to pass upwardly for folding against the back, and means for holding the writing leaf in horizontal position. Y

2. In a foldable seat combination including a back having a pair of forwardly extended legs at the sides thereof and a pair of rearwardly extended legs medially pivoted to the forwardly eX- tended legs at the outer sides thereof, a seat pivotally connected at its rearportion to the inner sides of the forwardly extended legs; means to support the seat in horizontal position, the seat being foldable upwardly against the back, and side arms pivoted at their rear ends to the outer sides of the back andradjustably connected at their forward ends with the upper ends of the rearwardly extended legs, a writing leaf hinged to the inner edge of one of the arms and arranged for opening horizontally inward over the seat for userand for folding downwardly into the space formed between the adjacent outer side of the seat and the adjacent inner side of the rearwardly extended legs and thus out of the way to allow the seat to fold upwardly against the back, 'and means for holding the writing leaf in horizontal position. i

CLARENCE A.'BEST. 

